Investing in a new dining table can be expensive. If you've recently purchased a new dining table and want to ensure you care for it properly, we'll share some helpful information and ideas to ensure your table stays looking great for many years to come.
Whether you love contemporary furniture or prefer things traditional, your dining room decor won’t look up to scratch if your dining table has seen better days. To ensure it lasts, you'll need to invest time and energy into cleaning and protecting your table. You’ve made the large investment, now keeping up with the necessary care will enable you to continue to enjoy a table where you can share meals, spend quality time with family and entertain guests.
Dining table care - our top tips
So, what can you do to care for your dining table?
Invest in quality
First and foremost, investing in a quality table is important. If you want to avoid continuously replacing your dining table, it might be worth paying extra initially for a well-designed and well-made piece of furniture that will serve you and your family well for decades. Cheaply made furniture is more likely to wear and can break quickly, so while you may think you're getting a bargain initially, repairs and replacements may soon mean that you will pay more.
Check the material
The upkeep of your dining table will naturally depend on the material it is made of. Different cleaning methods will be required for wood, glass, metal, and plastic tables, so bear this in mind before you begin. All tables need to be cleaned regularly as even the neatest of families will end up with spillages occasionally. Crumbs, sauces, and food debris can damage or stain the table if left for too long, so it's a good idea to give your table a good wipe-down after every meal.
Caring for your wooden table
It's worth giving your wooden dining table a quick clean after each time you use it. Soft microfibre cloths are the least abrasive. Any grease stains can be tackled with dishwashing liquid diluted in water.
Clean your dining table thoroughly every few months by mixing mild detergent with one cup of warm water and using a microfiber cloth to work the solution into the table. Take your time to clean every inch.
Protecting the wood's natural lustre will keep your table looking its best. For wooden dining tables crafted with a hard-wearing lacquer finish, such as our full range, your investment will only require the above cleaning method to maintain your table’s appearance. For other types of wooden tables without this coating, you can achieve this by applying a semi-solid wax and firmly buffing it with your microfibre cloth until the table's surface produces a lovely sheen. Check the finish of your wooden dining table to determine which treatment or cleaning solution you will require.
Caring for your metal table
Metal tables can create a modern, slightly industrial look. If you opt for a metal table, choose a robust and stain-resistant material such as stainless steel. You can treat your metal table with a protective coating to help prevent wearing, corrosion, and rust. Make sure any cleaning products you use on metal are safe for that material (many aren't and can erode the surface of your table). Colourless oil can be a valuable product to clean off any stubborn marks and minor blemishes on the table while protecting it simultaneously.
To prevent stains on a metal table, ensure they are wiped off as soon as you notice them. Should stains occur, a lubricant product such as WD-40 can help to remove them.
It's important to note that if you opt for a metallic table, some changes over time may occur, though this can end up being part of its charm.
Caring for your glass table
A glass table looks elegant and sophisticated in any space. While glass is easy to clean, it can quickly become smudged and marked if not looked after correctly. Glass tables are also more delicate; therefore, it's important not to put too much weight on them or bang heavy pots down on the surface as this could cause the table to chip or crack.
To clean, mix mild detergent and warm water to wipe off any marks, and then use a dry cotton cloth to buff and polish the surface. You can remove any stubborn grime with baking soda, white vinegar, and warm water.
Caring for your plastic table
A plastic table is straightforward to clean and using a mild detergent and water, or cleaning spray, can remove dirt and germs from the surface. Plastic can become scratched quite quickly, so it is a good idea to protect the surface from damage using a tablecloth.
Avoid heat and light
Avoiding heat, and direct sunlight is a good idea regardless of the material your dining table is made from. Using placemats and coasters will protect the table's surface from heat damage from hot plates, pots and mugs. Sun rays can also be detrimental to your dining table, causing it to discolour and fade and even weaken the material over time. If you plan to keep your dining table in an area where it might be subject to lots of light, such as a bay window, try to close the blinds or curtains regularly to keep your dining table protected and help it last longer.
Keep your cleaning materials clean too
Ironically, some of the materials we use to clean are actually where we’ll find the most germs in our homes. Sponges and rags can harbour bacteria and germs if they aren’t properly cleaned after use. So make sure that you take the time to eliminate them. Sponges will benefit from 10 seconds in the microwave to blast away germs while putting microfibre cloths and dust rags on a cool or warm wash (not hot) will do the trick for these products.
Pay attention to the chairs
There is no point in having a beautifully preserved dining table if your chairs look worn and uncared for. Your dining chairs are likely to be made from similar material to the table, so you can follow the same cleaning routine and care instructions. If you have fabric seats, hoovering them with a vacuum cleaner (use the upholstery attachment if you have one) every week will eliminate any crumbs. If your chairs get stained, you can use a damp sponge to try to wipe them clean, and you may be able to use a fabric cleaner for more stubborn stains, depending on the material.
Quality dining tables from Case Furniture
If you are looking for a beautifully crafted, innovatively designed dining table for your home, browse the collection from Case Furniture today. We are proud to work with top designers to bring our customers a range of eclectic, contemporary furniture that looks great in every home and has been built to last.
If you’ve got your dining table care covered, learn how to set your table for any occasion.